Ettu champions league

A revolt by European clubs has foiled plans by their wealthiest counterparts to turn the Champions League into a largely closed competition. Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli and his European Club Association leadership team has been forced to reset their expectations after failing to win support for a plan to steer the lucrative competition even more in favor of an elite group of elite teams. Lower-ranking clubs made their voices heard in tense private meetings across Europe, suppressing a radical Champions League reinvention from 2024 that would have had profound implications for the intrigue of domestic competitions by largely severing qualification pathways but placating teams with more placed in a new third-tier competition. Accounts of some of the small ECA-organized gatherings throughout August were provided to The Associated Press by people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential matters. By the time Agnelli addressed the ECA assembly in Geneva on … [Read more...] about Closed Champions League foiled by revolt against elite clubs

Europe's top soccer leagues announced a Champions League vision on Friday that rejects radical changes wanted by elite clubs. The 29-nation European Leagues group said its core principles for reform include no new promotion or relegation between the Champions League and Europa League from 2024, and limiting teams to six group games. The proposal detailed at a soccer conference in Lisbon rejects the European Club Association's plan for locking in 24 of 32 Champions League places. The ECA also prefers eight-team groups giving clubs 14 games each, squeezing available dates for national leagues and cups. European Leagues said Champions League entries must be based on qualification from the domestic competitions, except for the winner retaining its place. Though mostly supporting the status quo, the 36 member leagues are "open to new innovations," European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said. Still, changes should be "underpinned by the principles of current … [Read more...] about European Leagues detail post-2024 ideas for Champions League

Last season's semifinalist Ajax will start its Champions League campaign against unbeaten Greek title winner PAOK Thessaloniki in the third qualifying round, after the draw was made Monday. Four-time European champion Ajax began in the second preliminary round last July and was one minute from the final before being eliminated by Tottenham's stoppage-time winning goal in May. As the Dutch league winner, Ajax now starts one qualifying round later — on Aug. 6 or 7, with the first leg in Greece — needing to beat two opponents instead of three to join the elite 32-team group stage. However, Ajax returns after selling star midfielder Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona and teenage captain Matthijs de Ligt to Juventus, and got the toughest possible opposition. Ajax was the highest-ranked seeded team and PAOK was highest ranked in the pot of unseeded teams after being the only unbeaten league winner in Europe last season. Both are in the draw section just for national champions. Porto, a … [Read more...] about UEFA Champions League: Ajax to play PAOK of Greece in qualifying

Celtic now know who they will next face should they progress past Nomme Kalju. Neil Lennon’s side take on the Estonians at Celtic Park on Wednesday in the first leg of the second qualifying round. The Scottish title winners are huge favourites to reach QR3 of the Champions League and have two potential opponents lying in wait. Celtic would face either Cluj or Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Romanian champions Cluj have twice appeared in the group stage before – in seasons 2010-11 and 2012-13. They also have a pretty decent pedigree in the Europa League. Tel-Aviv, meanwhile, have also twice made it to the lucrative group stage. Celtic, however, should have more than enough for either side. The Hoops have also discovered who they would face in Europa League QR3 if they somehow contrive to lose to Kalju. They've been draw against either KF Shkendija or F91 Dudelange. Relive the draw as live here. Key Events Celtic v Shkendija or Dudelange 11:38 Celtic to face Cluj or Maccabi … [Read more...] about Champions League draw latest as Celtic find out their fate

8 Jul From the section Welsh Premier League Share this with Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Copy this link http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48893420 Read more about sharing. Champions League first qualifying round first leg: The New Saints v FeronikeliVenue: Park Hall, Oswestry Date: Tuesday, 9 July Kick-off: 19:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC Sport Website. Live commentary on BBC Radio Shropshire.Greg Draper spent more time on the bench than on the pitch for Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints last season, but still won the Golden Boot.Draper played just 1,032 minutes of his side's 2,880-minute WPL season and finished top scorer with 27 goals.He scored a league goal on average every 38 minutes, a better strike rate than Barcelona's Lionel Messi Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo and last season's Premier League top scorer Mo Salah.The 29-year-old striker … [Read more...] about Champions League: Europe is what we play all year for